Blogs and Commentary

Loyola-Johns Hopkins Result Good for Both Sides

Make no mistake about how the final outcome affected each team
in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's 10-9, overtime victory by
No. 10 Johns Hopkins over top-ranked, previously-undefeated Loyola.
The Blue Jays woke up in a great mood on Sunday. Loyola had to be a
bit dejected over how close it had come to knocking off its Charles
Street rivals for only the fourth time in 50 tries.

The opinion here is Saturday's result in retrospect helped both
teams.

Hopkins (10-3) certainly needed the victory the most. The Blue
Jays snapped a two-game losing streak and broke out of its terrible
funk on offense, just in time for May. And as it looks ahead to its
regular-season finale against visiting Army, Hopkins has clinched a
home playoff game in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

In addition, if they beat Army as expected and get a little help
during this week's handful of conference tournaments, the Blue Jays
might find themselves with a top four seed in the big
tournament.

Loyola (12-1) made just enough mistakes in a classic,
miscue-laden battle to blow a chance to stay unbeaten and knock off
Hopkins for the first time in 13 seasons. A win would have locked
up a top four seed in the NCAAs. But the Greyhounds can take care
of that business on Wednesday at fourth-seeded Denver in the ECAC
tournament semifinals. It won't be easy.

The Greyhounds, who should have a first-round home game locked
up, know they have to clean up their act in May. But the Hopkins
loss afforded Loyola a glimpse at their heart, since the Greyhounds
have rolled through so many opponents in 2012. On Saturday, Loyola
never led, trailed 5-0 in the second quarter, and three times were
behind by four in the second half. Loyola's gutty, fourth-quarter
comeback will pay dividends down the road, when the NCAA tournament
will demand more courage from the Hounds.